Weston's wheels keep on turning

The super-rich family have succeeded in avoiding a damaging rift after the death of the billionaire patriarch. By John ODonnell

FOR 30 years the billionaire Garry Weston ruled a business empire that ranged from Associated British Foods to Fortnum & Mason. But, remembering vicious clashes for supremacy with his brother Galen, he feared that the super-rich family would tear itself apart when he died. Now, a year after the autocrat’s death, the family has at last agreed on a settlement.

The six children are to share out the management of the family’s interests, with the two eldest brothers, George and Guy, taking major roles.

George Weston, deputy chairman of ABF, the £4 billion FTSE giant, is being groomed to be the public face of the Weston business and is likely one day to become chief executive.

Guy, the eldest son, will continue in his role as chairman of Wittington, the company that controls ABF. He also chairs the Garfield Weston Foundation, the family charity that controls Wittington. Guy says: “Our